Chief Brenda Thomas from the Macon-Bibb County Fire Department said there are several precautions you should take when using a generator to ensure safety.

First, she said you should keep your generator completely out of your home, not just in your garage. She said it should be at least five feet away from your home.

Additionally, she said that you don't want to overload your generator. Some good signs that your generator is overloaded is if your lights or electricity start flickering and if the generator begins smoking.

Thomas said that if you are using a gas generator, you should not refuel it while it is still hot. After you turn it off, you should let it cool down before refilling it.

Finally, if you have a box generator that you plug into your home, you should get a professional electrician to install it.